Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- sardonic
- chaotic
- light adult movie night
- bill murray marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an ineffective, unfocused comedy that squandered Bill Murray’s talent for playing anarchic losers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Richie’s USO tour and attempts to navigate Kabul turn American military entertainment into a source of comic critique.
Richie’s collapse in Afghanistan becomes a last chance to rebuild his career by championing Salima’s singing.
Richie discovers Salima’s extraordinary voice and manages her through Afghanistan’s version of American Idol.
The film places staged musical performances and talent-show spectacle within the precarious setting of Kabul and Afghanistan.
Films like Rock the Kasbah, and why
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
shares an irreverent comedy tone, an outsider protagonist, and a music-centered story set against political upheaval
The Dictator
shares a fish out of water premise, culture-clash humor, and a lightly satirical approach to American involvement in the Middle East
The Rocker
shares a redemption arc for a disgraced music-industry figure and a warm, comedic emphasis on performance
St. Vincent
shares Bill Murray's sardonic loser persona, emotional recovery, and offbeat comedy-drama sensibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Barry Levinson
- Release Date
- 2015-10-22
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (384)
Cast
- Bill Murray
- Zooey Deschanel
- Bruce Willis
- Kate Hudson
- Taylor Kinney
- Danny McBride
- Scott Caan
- Eugenia Kuzmina
- Sarah Baker
- Leem Lubany
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rock the Kasbah about?
- A washed-up rock manager finds an improbable second act when he mentors a gifted Afghan singer amid the chaos of a USO tour.
- What is Rock the Kasbah like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rock the Kasbah as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rock the Kasbah violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Rock the Kasbah as mild.
- What did critics think of Rock the Kasbah?
- Critics broadly found the film an ineffective, unfocused comedy that squandered Bill Murray’s talent for playing anarchic losers.
- Which films are like Rock the Kasbah?
- Films with a similar feel include Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, The Dictator, The Rocker, and St. Vincent.
- How long is Rock the Kasbah?
- Rock the Kasbah runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rock the Kasbah?
- In United States, Rock the Kasbah streams on fuboTV, Philo.
